Hegseth Sinks Nine of Ten Three-Pointers at Air Force Academy Before Falcons Beat Navy
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, where he spoke to cadets, made nine of ten three-point attempts at Clune Arena, and handled the coin toss before Air Force defeated Navy 14-9.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs over the weekend, where he addressed cadets, showed off his shooting touch on the basketball court, and handled the coin toss before the Air Force Falcons hosted the Navy Midshipmen on Saturday afternoon.
Hegseth, who has made a point of engaging with service members and military academies since taking office, spent time on the academy's court at Clune Arena, where he attempted ten three-point shots from the top of the arc. He made nine of them, a display of accuracy that drew attention well beyond the football field.
The secretary's visit was not limited to basketball. He was at the academy primarily to speak to cadets ahead of the service-academy matchup, a game that carries significance for both programs and for the broader military community. Just before kickoff, Hegseth was on the field for the traditional coin toss, a ceremonial duty often performed by senior officials and dignitaries at major service-academy games.
On the field, Air Force defeated Navy 14-9, improving its record to 3-1 on the season. The Midshipmen fell to 1-3 with the loss. Air Force will visit Northern Illinois next weekend, while Navy returns home to host Tulsa.
The game was one of several service-academy contests drawing attention this fall, and Hegseth's presence underscored the administration's focus on military athletics and the academies themselves. His shooting performance, meanwhile, offered a lighter moment during a weekend otherwise defined by the football rivalry between two of the nation's service academies.
Hegseth's stop at the Air Force Academy comes as the secretary has traveled to military installations and events across the country, often combining official duties with visits to troops and cadets. The coin toss and the basketball session gave him a chance to connect with cadets in a less formal setting before the game.
Air Force's win over Navy adds another chapter to the long-running rivalry between the two programs, which compete annually for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy along with Army. The Falcons' victory keeps them in contention for the trophy, which is awarded to the service academy with the best record in games among the three schools.
For Navy, the loss marks a difficult start to the season, with the Midshipmen now 1-3. They will look to rebound at home against Tulsa. Air Force, meanwhile, will take its 3-1 record on the road to Northern Illinois, aiming to build on the momentum from Saturday's win.
Hegseth's visit and his performance on the court added a memorable off-field storyline to a game that was decided by a five-point margin. The secretary's nine-of-ten shooting display from beyond the arc was a highlight of his time at the academy, where he also fulfilled his official duties speaking to cadets.
The weekend visit reflects the ongoing relationship between senior defense officials and the service academies, which train the next generation of military officers. Hegseth's engagement with cadets and his participation in the pregame ceremonies were part of that tradition.
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